Inside our 26-Point Maintenance Plan

What separates Chas Roberts from other HVAC companies, and positions us as experts in our field, is our comprehensive 26-point maintenance plan. Unlike other companies that only perform a simple check for loose bolts or dirty filters, we check the entire system from top to bottom—to help it work its best all year long.

To help you understand what our 26-point maintenance plan entails, we’ve compiled a list of the major points for both the cooling and heating season. In this article, we’ll explain what each major point is, and how it benefits your system.

HVAC maintenance for the cooling season

During the cooling season, your AC system should be serviced to ensure it’s ready to withstand the blazing summer heat. We’ll inspect the unit to make sure you won’t have any unwelcome surprises when the temperatures start to rise. As part of your maintenance appointment, a technician will examine your air conditioning system and perform fixes on components such as refrigerant levels, condenser coils, and more—which are typically overlooked by other HVAC companies.

Even if you had a maintenance call the previous winter, it’s still important to schedule maintenance for the summer. This is because the two inspections differ and address different elements of the HVAC system.

Here are the top 4 services you can expect during a maintenance call in the cooling season.

1. Check refrigerant levels

One of the first things our technician will do on a maintenance call is check your AC unit’s refrigerant levels. Refrigerant is a compound that absorbs heat and generates cold air when combined with components such as compressors and evaporators. If your refrigerant levels are low, a leak is mostly likely to blame. Without any refrigerant, your AC system won’t work at all, and you’ll quickly notice a hot and uncomfortable home. It’s our technician’s responsibility to check for any leaks and repair them if necessary to ensure your unit will be set to run all summer long.

2. Clean condenser coils

Condenser coils absorb the heat from inside the house and release it outside. If the condenser coil is dirty, this process is interrupted, and the system doesn’t function as it should.

A dirty condenser coil can cause problems including:

Higher energy bills

Uncomfortable room temperature

A system breakdown

During a maintenance call, the technician will clear any debris, such as plants, that may be surrounding the unit. They’ll also remove dirt and dust—a common cause of dirty condenser coils in the desert.

3. Adjust thermostat calibration

If your thermostat is out of sync with your unit, your home may never actually reach the temperature you set it to. Your air conditioning may also show signs of short cycling, meaning it turns on and off frequently. This can wear down your system and result in higher energy bills. If the technician notices your thermostat is reading wrong, they’ll re-calibrate it to make sure that it reads accurately.

4. Check air flow and filter size

Even the best air conditioning system won’t be able to cool your home effectively if your filters are clogged, dirty, or the wrong size. Additionally, filters that are too big or too small can let unfiltered air into your home, increasing your exposure to allergens and pollutants. The technician will check the filters in order to ensure that they’re the right size, and that air is flowing correctly. If there’s a problem with the filters, they will either replace them during the maintenance call or schedule a follow-up.

HVAC maintenance for the heating season

Even in Phoenix’s mild winter season, you may find yourself turning up the thermostat to keep your home warm—especially when temperatures fall overnight. During a heating season maintenance call, the technician will inspect your home’s heating system and ensure that it’s ready to keep you comfortable in the winter months.

Here are the top 4 services you can expect during a heating season maintenance call.

1. Inspect gas valves and connectors

The gas valve of your furnace supplies the gas it needs to allow combustion. Since it’s an important part to a fully functioning furnace, it should be thoroughly inspected to ensure that everything is in good working order. The technician will inspect your furnace’s gas valve to make sure it’s allowing combustion, as well as inspecting all connectors to make sure they’re doing their job of powering the furnace.

2. Check burners

Burner flames should be a bright blue color. Yellow flames indicate dirty burners or that the gas is not completely lit, which can impact your unit’s heating performance. Problems with the burner can also indicate a potential gas leak, which could be dangerous. Since burner fixes are best left to the professionals, the technician will inspect them and solve any problems during your maintenance call.

3. Inspect duct connection

Ensuring that your ducts are free from damage, debris, and leaks will improve the air quality in your home and keep your heating system operating at its best.

A duct system helps deliver and remove air from your home through a controlled path. This path begins at an outlet connected to your HVAC system, and runs throughout your home. As part of your maintenance call, the technician will inspect your duct connection and ensure that it’s in good shape and free of any leaks. If there are any leaks, the technician will fix them through the use of caulking or adhesives.

4. Check and adjust furnace belt

In most cases, the air fan that provides heat for your home is powered by an external motor. If the belt between the motor and the fan breaks or is worn out, problems can arise—including less efficient heating and higher energy bills.

A worn furnace belt can create a squeaking noise, while a belt that is too loose will keep the fan from turning as it should. The technician will inspect the belt for signs of wear and tear, and adjust the tension to make sure it’s at the correct level.

When to schedule maintenance

We recommend scheduling your maintenance calls in the Spring and in the Fall, before the Summer or Winter temperatures start. That way, any problems with your unit can be addressed before you need to rely heavily on heating or cooling.

Our maintenance calls are not available during the peak summer season, which is from June to September. However, our repair and replacement services are always available, including our 24/7 emergency services. That means that even if you discover a problem with your system during the summer, you can still have it repaired or replaced by the experts at Chas Roberts.

Get started today

Whether you’re looking to schedule a maintenance call, or have any other HVAC and plumbing needs, contacting Chas Roberts is the best place to start. With more than 75 years of experience, we’ve remained dedicated to providing quality service you can trust at prices that are fair and affordable. No matter what time of year, Chas Roberts is here to help with all your heating and cooling needs.